Page:Gummere (1909) The Oldest English Epic.djvu/59

Rh armor excellent, heirloom of Hrethel and work of Wayland. Fares Wyrd as she must.”

 

Hrothgar spake, the Scyldings’-helmet:— “For fight defensive. Friend my Beowulf, to succor and save, thou hast sought us here. Thy father’s combat a feud enkindled when Heatholaf with hand he slew among the Wylfings; his Weder kin for horror of fighting feared to hold him. Fleeing, he sought our South-Dane folk, over surge of ocean the Honor-Scyldings, when first I was ruling the folk of Danes, wielded, youthful, this widespread realm, this hoard-hold of heroes. Heorogar was dead, my elder brother, had breathed his last, Healfdene’s bairn: he was better than I! Straightway the feud with fee I settled, to the Wylfings sent, o’er watery ridges, treasures olden: oaths he swore me. 